AP PhotoDarren Helm, right, leads Detroit Red Wings forwards with 25 blocked shots.DETROIT -- Stepping in front of a 100 mph slap shot is one of the most unpleasant tasks in hockey.

The Detroit Red Wings rank last in the NHL in blocked shots (407). But coach Mike Babcock says they are doing a much better job of late.

It shows on the penalty kill, which has improved significantly over the past month, in part because of players' willingness to get in shooting lanes.

Defenseman Brad Stuart leads the team with 62 blocked shots, and forwards Patrick Eaves and Darren Helm have spearheaded shot-blocking efforts on the penalty kill.

"Patrick Eaves set the whole thing up," Babcock said. "We never would get in the shooting lane. Suddenly now, we're all in the shooting lane and we're blocking shots, so they don't shoot it as much and you get way more guaranteed outs (puck clearings).

"He's been excellent at that and it's been contagious. Now, Helm's doing it and (Drew) Miller's doing it. The more we have of that the better off we are."

In addition to the blocked shots, the attempted blocks force opponents to shoot wide or make an extra pass that sometimes leads to a turnover.

"That's a key to a good penalty kill -- be in the shooting lanes and make them have to shoot off the net. Those are harder to tip in," Eaves said. "We're just trying to get in the way.

"We're getting better every day. Our back end is very good at stepping in front and blocking shots. As forwards, we're trying to help out as well."

Helm leads the team's forwards with 25 blocked shots.

"It's up to everybody to make sure the puck doesn't get to the net," Helm said. "Guys are really selling out and making sure they're getting in lanes. When you're blocking a couple of shots early on, it gets in the heads of the (opposing point men) and they might not shoot as much. It definitely affects how they attack their power play."

The Red Wings have killed 45-of-48 power-play opportunities in their past 16 games to climb to 14th in the league in penalty killing (82 percent). Still, there is a significant disparity in their effectiveness at home (sixth in the NHL at 87 percent) compared to the road (27th at 75 percent).

Shot blockers must walk a fine line. They could be added to the team's lengthy injured list if they're not careful. But Eaves said little can be done to minimize the risk of injury while blocking a shot.

"It's a risk every time you block a shot," he said. "Everyone shoots so hard now it doesn't matter if it hits you in the (shin) pad or wherever, you just try to get it in a spot that doesn't hurt as bad."

Said Helm: "You know it's going to hurt, but it's part of what you have to do when you're on that kill."